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10 Day Trips Less than a 4-hour drive from Auburn

We all know that a day spent in Auburn, AL is a day well spent! Nicknamed “the Loveliest Village on the Plains,” this city and campus have enough charm to make anyone want to stay forever. One of my favorite things about Auburn, however, is how close it is to some of the coolest cities and towns in the southeast! When adventure calls and you’re in the mood for a day trip, here are 10 places to visit that are a 4-hour drive or less from Auburn.

  1. Atlanta, GA – 2 hours

From the World of Coke to the Georgia Aquarium to Ponce City Market to Truist Park, you can truly never run out of activities to do in Atlanta, Georgia! While you can’t experience all that Atlanta has to offer in just one day, the quick drive will make it easy to plan a second trip. 

Explore Georgia
  1. Chattanooga, TN – 3.5 hours

Another city with so much to offer, you won’t come up short on things to do in Chattanooga. Ruby Falls, Rock City, the Walnut Street Bridge… just to name a few of the activities you can plan for your trip!

Chattanooga.gov
  1. Helen, GA – 4 hours

This one is for the mountain lovers! Helen, Georgia is a town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains known for its unique German look. It’s like visiting Germany without ever having to leave the southeast!

Explore Georgia
  1. Orange Beach & Gulf Shores, AL – 4 hours

Warmer weather calls for day trips to the beach! Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are just a 4 hour drive from Auburn. Grab your beach chair and sunglasses and plan a trip to the Alabama coast! 

Visit the USA
  1. Birmingham, AL – 2 hours

Also known as the Magic City… and my home sweet home! Some Birmingham area activities are catching a show at the Alabama Theatre , visiting the Birmingham Zoo or going up to the top of the Vulcan (if you’re not afraid of heights!)

Visit the USA
  1. Pine Mountain, GA – 1 hour

A hidden gem just a short hour drive from Auburn. Home to Callaway Gardens, it’s the perfect getaway for nature lovers! 

Tripadvisor
  1. Fairhope, AL – 3.5 hours

The cutest little bayside town you’ve ever seen! The downtown area has tons of adorable shops and restaurants to explore, and is a quick drive to Mobile, Alabama as well. 

Alabama Travel
  1. Destin, FL – 4 hours

Another one for the beach goers! Located on the Florida Panhandle, Destin is about a 4 hour drive away from Auburn. Sugary white sands and emerald water? Sign. Me. Up. 

destinflorida.com
  1. Huntsville, AL –  3.5 hours

Did you ever dream of being an astronaut as a kid? Live out those dreams for a day at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville! Afterwards, there is plenty more to explore in the Huntsville area. 

U.S Space & Rocket Center
  1. Pensacola, FL – 3.5 hours

Summertime is approaching, meaning it’s almost time to watch the U.S. Navy Blue Angels take flight over Pensacola Beach! You don’t want to miss this incredible show. Check out their schedule here to see when they’ll be sailing the skies over Pensacola.

Visit Pensacola


We hope you’re able to check out some of these places the next time you’re looking to venture out for the day. Auburn will be waiting for you when you get back!

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Looking for media experience as an Auburn student? Here are 5 ways to get involved

Auburn University has so many great opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in their fields, including opportunities for students interested in careers in media. Student Media at Auburn is made up of 5 groups: The Auburn Circle literary magazine, Eagle Eye TV, The Glomerata yearbook, The Auburn Plainsman newspaper, and WEGL 91.1 FM

We asked several Auburn students to share about their experience working with these media groups. See their responses below!

The Auburn Circle

Published twice a year, The Auburn Circle is Auburn University’s literary and arts magazine.

“My time at the Circle has been the most fulfilling part of my Auburn experience, both preparing me in my future career in publishing and giving me a supportive community in which to thrive. I’ve made some of my best friends at the Circle, and I’ve grown as an artist because of my time here. Student Media is, in my opinion, the best way to get involved at Auburn, whether you’re interested in journalism or art, or anything else on that spectrum!”

-Cole Anderson, Editor-in-Chief, The Auburn Circle

Eagle Eye TV

Eagle Eye TV is Auburn’s student-run television station. Students have the opportunity to produce live weekly sports, entertainment, and news shows.

“I’ve worked almost every position you can in EETV in Student Media and now as Station Manager I can confidently say the skills and relationships I’ve developed through this organization have been the best part of my Auburn experience. The opportunities I’ve been given because of my work in student media, from internships to reporting live on air with local television stations, are completely irreplaceable and will leave me in a great place for post-grad.”

-Sydney Babb, Station Manager, Eagle Eye TV

“I love being involved in Student Media because I see how many doors it opens up for my peers and I love to see just how involved we can get in everything. Last semester, I wasn’t involved in much at all but I really feel like I’ve found my place in Eagle Eye and it’s introduced me to so many important people and given me all kinds of experience.”

-Courtenee Webster, News Producer and Digital Content Manager, Eagle Eye TV

The Glomerata

Auburn’s official yearbook that has been published since 1897.

“Student Media has been more than just a creative outlet for me–it has shaped my career aspirations. As the Editor-in-Chief of The Glomerata, Auburn’s yearbook, I’ve discovered my passion for local coverage within public marketing. Without this organization, I may have never explored the possibilities of a career in media.”

-Kendall Wilkes, Editor-in-Chief, The Glomerata

The Auburn Plainsman

Founded in 1893, The Auburn Plainsman is the second most honored newspaper in the country according to the Associated Collegiate Press. Up-to-the-minute news is published on theplainsman.com.

“I think the best part of Student Media is the opportunities it provides. I have learned more from my involvement here than I ever would in a classroom. In fact, some of my teachers have used my published Student Media work as “exemplary” pieces in the field. I have had hands-on experience, and I have worked through issues that only present themselves when you are fully immersed.”

-Sami Grace Donnelly, Editor-in-Chief, The Auburn Plainsman

“I enjoy working in student media because it affords me opportunities that other students might not have, especially when it comes to athletics and event access. Working in student media not only puts me in professional situations, but allows me to connect with industry professionals in fields that I would like to work in postgrad.”

-Luca Flores, Photo Editor, The Auburn Plainsman

WEGL 91.1 FM

Auburn’s student-operated radio station that serves as a learning lab for students to gain real-world experiences in live production as well as writing and editing. WEGL also does a live broadcast of Auburn University softball and soccer.

“Student involvement has been a game-changer for me. It’s not just about building a resume, it’s about discovering who I am, what I care about, and how I can make an impact. Through my leadership roles, I’ve gained invaluable skills like communication, collaboration, and adaptability. What’s so great about student involvement is the sense of community, it connects you with people who challenge and inspire you, helping you grow both personally and professionally. It’s a way to learn, fail, and succeed.”

-Rae Nawrocki, Station Manager, WEGL

Learn more about student media at Auburn here!

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What is The Jungle at Auburn?

The short answer: The Jungle is the official student section at Auburn basketball games… but this season it means so much more.

The Auburn men’s basketball team is currently the best in the country. On Saturday, February 15th, Auburn beat Bama (#2 team in the country) in Tuscaloosa with a final score of 94-85. History was made that day. It was the first ever SEC matchup of a #1 and #2 team, and you can read more about it here.

Prior to big home games, Auburn students camp out in tents (Jungle Village) near Neville Arena to get in line for a ticket. Basketball tickets are included in student fees, but admission is first-come, first-serve. The hype before these games is intense, and The Jungle becomes a 6th player. The cheering is loud, the energy is high, and the opposing team has difficulty hearing the plays called.

The team contributes to this energy by posting videos of dancing and good vibes on Instagram, which just adds to the excitement that surrounds the season. Coach Bruce Pearl is a big part of the magic that is currently Auburn basketball too, and we are lucky to have him.

Tomorrow we play Bama again, but at home. It is the last home game of the regular season, and everything is on the line. Win or lose, I think we are still going to have an amazing run during March Madness. Watch to find out!

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Does it ever snow in Auburn?

On Tuesday, January 21, 2025 it snowed in Auburn, and the dreamy winter wonderland was enjoyed by students, employees, and residents all over town.

It does not snow often in Auburn, Alabama, but every few years a wintry mix appears in the Loveliest Village on the Plains. Students and residents gathered their coats, hats, and gloves and ventured out into the cold for some fun.

Samford Lawn was full of students taking pictures and enjoying the snow! Some students went sledding at the Red Barn and built snowmen.

Time stands a little more still on snow days. It is a chance to pause from the regular schedule and break the routine. Our students took full advantage of this, embracing the day with fellowship and laughter.

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Why I Love Auburn: A Series

by Peri Gregg, Admissions Advisor

If you have ever spoken to me for longer than 15 minutes, you know that it usually takes me no time at all to mention my love for Auburn. I had very high expectations for my college experience, and my expectations as a student at Auburn University were exceeded in ways that I had never imagined. While it is difficult to narrow down the reasons I love this school, one of the main ones is that it led me to living out one of my lifelong dreams.

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to work for The Walt Disney Company. Like many people, I grew up visiting Disney theme parks, watching the films and singing my heart out to my favorite princess songs. As a public relations major at Auburn, my professors often emphasized that storytelling is the key to resonating with an audience. Disney immediately came to mind as a company that I admired and wanted to learn from in this regard. If I was going to be a storyteller myself, then who better to learn from than one of the most renowned storytelling companies in the world?

I began to work very hard and use all the tools that Auburn offered to make this dream a reality. From resources like the Miller Writing Center to the Career and Discovery Center, numerous places on campus helped set me up for success. I also got involved in clubs such as the Public Relations Student Society of America and The Oaks Agency. These organizations helped me connect with other PR students and expand what I was learning in the classroom. One of the places I learned the most was as a Marketing Assistant at the Auburn University Bookstore. As a student, I helped with email, social media and content creation for an actual organization on campus! In my public relations courses, our professors would challenge us with projects to create campaigns from start to finish. We would often be tasked with creating “pretend” communication collateral for a company of our choosing. Of course, I always chose Disney!

Senior year, it was time to put all the hard work to the test and begin applying for Disney Professional Internships. I will never forget getting the call that I was being offered a position with the Public Affairs Communication Team at Walt Disney World. The tears started welling up in my eyes before I even had time to process what the person on the other end of the line was saying. The hard work that I had put towards achieving my dream had finally paid off. My first thought was that I would not be where I was at that moment if it hadn’t been for the professors, peers and supervisors that believed in me and helped me.

In the Disney movie The Princess and the Frog, Tiana’s father reminds her that wishing on stars can only take you part of the way, and that hard work is the key to making your dreams come true. The Auburn Creed echoes this sentiment with the line, “I believe in work, hard work.”

Make the most out of what Auburn has to give you. With a lot of hard work and a little bit of faith, trust, and pixie dust, you just might find your dreams coming true too.

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Auburn Abroad: We’ve Moved to Advise Assist!

In our office, we strive to implement a scheduling system that is convenient for both students and Auburn Abroad Coordinators. After careful consideration, we are excited to announce that we have transitioned to Advise Assist, Auburn’s official scheduling platform. This new system is designed to simplify the process for everyone. Once students log in, they are automatically matched with their designated coordinator, based on their college affiliation.

Our dedicated coordinators are assigned as follows:

MacKenzie McCoy

(mlm0177@auburn.edu) College of Education, College of
Engineering, College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, and College of Liberal Arts

Sarah Riley

(scr0003@auburn.edu) College of Architecture and Design,
Honors College, and College of Human Sciences

Skylar Tucker

(sjb0048@auburn.edu)
College of Agriculture, College of
Business, College of Nursing, College of Science and Mathematics,
College of
Pharmacy, and College of Veterinary Medicine

This system significantly enhances coordination and streamlines scheduling, benefiting both students and Auburn Abroad Coordinators. By using Advise Assist, students are automatically connected to their designated coordinator based on their college affiliation. This seamless process eliminates the guesswork for students, ensuring they are paired with the right advisor who is best suited to answer their specific questions and provide tailored guidance. Not only does this save time for students, but it also helps coordinators manage their appointments more efficiently, allowing for smoother communication and more productive meetings. In short, Advise Assist ensures a more organized, efficient, and user-friendly experience for everyone involved.


To better support students with busy and unpredictable schedules, Auburn Abroad Coordinators offer walk-in hours in addition to scheduled appointments. These walk-in hours provide students with the flexibility to access advising services without the need for a prior booking, making it easier to fit into their often-packed calendars. Whether students have last-minute questions, urgent concerns, or need quick guidance on study abroad opportunities, walk-in hours ensure they can get the support they need in a timely manner. This approach is especially valuable for those balancing academic commitments, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs, as it removes the pressure of finding a specific time in advance to meet with an advisor. By making themselves more available through walk-in hours, the Auburn Abroad Coordinators aim to reduce stress for students and offer personalized, on-the-spot assistance, ensuring that students can make informed decisions even when time is tight. This added accessibility highlights the commitment of the Auburn Abroad office to providing comprehensive and flexible support for all students, regardless of their schedules.

Auburn Abroad remains dedicated to enhancing the student experience by providing efficient, flexible, and accessible advising services. With the introduction of Advise Assist, students are seamlessly matched with the right coordinator, ensuring that their questions are addressed promptly and effectively. The additional walk-in hours reflect our understanding of students’ busy schedules, offering them the opportunity to connect with advisors when it best suits their needs. Whether through scheduled appointments or convenient walk-ins, Auburn Abroad is committed to guiding students through their study abroad journeys, providing personalized support every step of the way. We look forward to helping students explore and achieve their international education goals.

For more information, and to schedule an appointment or see walk-in hours, use the following link:
https://linktr.ee/auburnabroad

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Restaurant Round-Up: Fall 2024 Edition

Botanic

Whether you are looking for a fine dining meal, a place to grab a quick (but fresh) bite, or want to wander around the greenhouses with a homemade coffee, Botanic is the place for you. One of the newest restaurants in Opelika has everything you want in one space. The Market is my favorite place to go on Saturdays. I usually grab a coffee and a homemade quiche. They offer everything from pastries, to go meals, and dips, down to freshly squeezed orange juice.

The Grille is where you can go for a more upscale dining experience. They will bring you the most delicious bread you’ve ever tasted. It comes in a flowerpot with three types of in-house-made butter. The appetizers were hard to choose from because I wanted them all, but we ordered the bruschetta flight, and it was incredibly delicious. We also ordered the “Marry Me, Three Cheese Tortellini” that lived up to its name. End your day or evening by browsing through the greenhouses and gardens, your experience is sure to be one to remember!  -Emma Donaldson

Tacorita

Looking for unique tacos and the feeling of nostalgia? Look no further than Tacorita! Tacorita celebrates a sense of tradition that current Auburn students and alumni can enjoy together. They celebrated their grand re-opening in late October. Members of the Auburn Family were thrilled to welcome back an Auburn staple. Their new location is just across the street from their former location on North College Street.

It would not be a true taco spot if they didn’t celebrate Taco Tuesday. On Tuesdays, guests can enjoy $3 Southern Fried Chicken, Chicken Tinga, Carne Asada and BBQ Pork tacos!

While Tacorita’s entrée dinner is limited to solely tacos, guests at Tacorita can enjoy bold flavors and unique taco combinations. Guests order tacos individually, so they are free to mix and match tacos as they please! -Bree Davis

Staks

Voted Best Breakfast/Best Brunch in Auburn by the Auburn University Parent & Family Association, Staks Pancake Kitchen in downtown Auburn, Alabama is a vibrant eatery specializing in breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Owned by Auburn alumni Brian and Kim Wirth, Staks offers a diverse menu featuring creative takes on Southern classics like buttermilk pancakes, Conecuh Pancake Dogs, and homemade biscuits with sausage gravy.

Signature dishes include unique pancake flavors such as Cinnamon Roll and Lemon Blueberry, as well as lighter options like acai bowls and egg white omelets. Not only do they serve delicious food, but they have great options for all coffee lovers too. With locally sourced ingredients, generous portions, and a bright, inviting atmosphere, Staks is a popular destination for diners seeking both comfort food and modern twists​. -Sarah Turquitt

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Oh Hey, Hey Day!

Auburn University celebrated Hey Day this past Wednesday, October 16th, and it was one for the books! This beloved tradition dates back to 1947, when students who served in WWII returned back to classes as usual at Auburn. When they returned, they struggled to reassimilate with their fellow classmates. In response, the student body and Student Government Association advocated for a day that would “unite the Auburn family and promote a friendly atmosphere known as Hey Day”. Hey Day is now a day where every student gets the opportunity to wear a name tag, giving everyone a sense of belonging and reminding them that they are part of the Auburn family.

One of our very own admissions advisors, Emma Donaldson, shared her Hey Day experience:

“Ever since I’ve been at Auburn, I look forward to Hey Day – formerly as a student and now as an employee of the University! Everyone comes together, wears name tags, and literally says hey to each other! My favorite memory from Hey Day was my sophomore year. My friends and I all gathered on the green space, ate lunch, hung out, and met new people. We even met the Athletic Director and took pictures with the eagle! Hey Day is such a special tradition at Auburn, and I am so glad we continue it every year!”

You can learn more about the Hey Day tradition here!

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CAREER DISCOVERY & SUCCESS: EXPLORATORY ADVISING & OTHER SERVICES

After undergoing some changes over the last few years and transitioning from being the University Career Center to now being Career Discovery & Success, some people may be wondering exactly what we do. We primarily assist exploratory freshmen students and other students who want to change their majors, but there is so much more that we offer to students!

Campus Career Closet

The Campus Career Closet is still going strong on the third floor of Mary Martin Hall. As always, students are welcome to take advantage of the Campus Career Closet to get four items of professional clothing free of charge each academic year. In addition to the clothing being free, students are welcome to keep the clothing. Should you want to take advantage of the Campus Career Closet, go to Handshake and make an appointment, as access to this resource is by appointment only.

Career Strategists

Students in the Colleges of Forestry, Agriculture, Education, and Human Sciences have Career Strategists to assist them as they search for jobs. Carlos Acosta (Forestry & Agriculture) and Jelisa Bass (Education & Human Sciences) serve students by assisting them with job searches, résumé and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, and more. Carlos and Jelisa can be found on Handshake for appointments and also spend time out in their respective colleges giving presentations and meeting with students.

Career Connections

Our Career Connections Team works to host career fairs and bring employers to campus to interact with our students. The Stay Local career fair and Disney Day on the Plains are examples of the work being done by the Career Connections Team. Events and all of the specifics can be found on Handshake.

Exploratory Advising

Our Exploratory Advising Center is where we work with students who are unsure about their majors and want to spend time exploring all the options available to them. Exploratory Advising is divided into four areas: Exploratory classes (EXPL1010 and EXPL1020), academic advising, career counseling, and students changing their major.

EXPL1010 & EXPL1020

Students who are undecided when it comes to their major can enroll in our exploratory major classes. We teach EXPL1010 in the fall and EXPL1020 in the spring. Students can select a major and move from the exploratory major at the end of fall or spring semester. Some students figure out their major quickly, while other students need more time. The great thing about this program is that all of our instructors (career counselors and academic advisors) want to help these students and don’t judge them if they need more time to figure out their major and / or career. To help students figure out their majors and career paths, we take them on a journey that teaches them about themselves, various majors, and career possibilities. We use the tools and resources on the Career Discovery & Success website to aid our students in their exploration. The number of students taking advantage of this program has been increasing each year.

Academic Advising

The academic advisors in Exploratory advising work to provide students with the best advice possible as our students explore different majors. The goal is to keep our students on track to graduate in four years. So many exploratory students feel like they are behind their peers because they haven’t declared a major, so the Academic Advising Team works to help these students to understand that they are making real progress toward their futures.

Career Counseling

While the Academic Advising Team works mainly on the academic side to assist students, the Career Counseling Team works with students to help them learn about different careers in which they might be interested. Assessments are sometimes used to assist students in narrowing down their options. In all cases, the career counselors discuss what the student is thinking to assess where the student is and where they might be wanting to go. Theoretically, academic advising and career counseling are two different things. In reality, some of the work each team does overlaps with the other. As a result, we sometimes have to work together to assist our students.

Major Changers

We also assist students who want to or need to change their majors. When we have a student come to our office for this reason, they may start with academic advising or with career counseling, depending on the student’s needs. With major changing students, we go through the same process of advising them as we do with our exploratory major students. This assistance is given in a less formal setting than a classroom and is usually done through assessments and / or discussion in a one-on-one setting. Even though these students are not exploratory majors, we still want to make sure that they make a solid decision when changing their major so they don’t have to repeat the process anytime soon.

            We are located on the first floor of Mary Martin Hall and would love for anyone who is interested in what we do to drop by and see us!

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Serving Auburn University’s Military-Affiliated Community

Auburn University’s military community is a valued and important part of the AU tradition.  To aid and assist this community, the Veteran’s Resource Center carries a service-driven mission to help veterans, active duty, reservists, dependents, and spouses use their federal VA benefits at the university and advocate for the community through outreach and programming.  

Programs and Resources

Though the bulk of the VRC’s work revolves around the process of certifying students, the department hosts a variety of programming, events, and resources to aid the military-affiliated community.

Math Bootcamp:

Dr. Schenck, a veteran and Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, leads a weekly math tutoring session for veterans in the VRC.

Textbook Library:

The Mike Patterson Library is a collection of donated textbooks and manuals for Auburn Student Veteran Association members to utilize and borrow on a semesterly basis.

Rucksacks to Backpacks:

Rucksacks to Backpacks is an initiative created to assist veterans with technology needs. Students, with financial need, apply for electronic devices necessary for their academic success. In the past, the VRC provided laptops and other devices, such as headphones that helped an Aerospace student combat their tinnitus.

Green Zone Training:

The goal of Green Zone Training is to provide departments on campus with opportunities to learn about veterans and the challenges and successes they face as they return to education.

Professional Clothing Locker:

The Professional Clothing Locker provides interview attire to military-affiliated students in need. Veterans can also come by the VRC to receive “Veteran” labels to indicate their military affiliation as they approach career fairs and other opportunities.

Auburn Student Veteran’s Association

The ASVA is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides student veterans and military-affiliated students with resources to support the body, mind, and spirit through higher education into employment. Creating a safe space for veterans and like-minded individuals to recreate the bonds of camaraderie that most miss when leaving the military, the organization accepts all students no matter their military background.

Upcoming Events

7TH Annual Veteran’s Gala:

Hosted by the ASVA, the annual Gala provides an opportunity for members of the community to come together to help raise monies for Veteran scholarships. Join us on October 11th at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa for an inspiring evening dedicated to celebrating our student veterans. For more details, please visit: https://asvastore.com/gala/        

Operation Iron Ruck:

During the week of Thanksgiving, the Auburn Student Veterans Association (ASVA) partners with the Campus Veterans Association (CVA) at the University of Alabama to complete a 151-mile ruck mark from Jordan-Hare Stadium to Bryant-Denny Stadium. Participants will carry a 22-pound rucksack in honor of the 22 veterans a day who lose their lives to suicide. For more information and to support, please visit: https://operationironruck.com/

Veteran’s Golf Classic:

In Spring, the VRC holds a Golf Classic with the Auburn University Club that allows student veterans to join a team of community and business members so that they can create relationships and hold fellowship with members of the area.

Contact Us!

Do not hesitate to email the office at veterans.auburn.edu. Whether regarding benefits or programs and events, the VRC aims to serve the military-affiliated population and help lead them to their next stop.